Vanarama's National League North fan preview: Leamington

League sponsors Vanarama have been getting the fans’ perspective ahead of the new season - which kicks off this Saturday

What is the thing you’re most looking forward to this year?
Another season at the highest level we’ve been for some years. We’re punching well above our weight in this league so to have earned a third season here is a massive achievement in itself.

Massive improvement last season from the previous year where you narrowly avoided the drop. What’s the next step?
The next step is always to try and better the previous season, but as with the last question, staying in the league is an achievement in itself for Leamington.

What’s the best deal you’ve secured this summer?
Probably getting Colby Bishop to sign an extension to his contract so we didn’t lose him for nothing before he departed. That and the fact that we’ve retained virtually all of last season’s squad.

What is different this summer to the last?
I don’t think there will be a massive difference. We’ve still got all the old guard in the squad plus a few new, young, hungry players who will hopefully step up and fill the void left by Colby Bishop.

Who is one player other fans should know about?
I think Josh March will do well at this level once he gets used to it. He has excelled for Alvechurch over the last three or four years and wanted to make the step up and now he has a perfect chance to do that with us.

Stockport County and Chorley went up last season - who are this season’s promotion candidates?
Chester and Darlington will have better seasons this time out, I think. Can’t see past Spennymoor, Brackley, York City and probably Altrincham for the play-offs. I think it will be a more open division this season.

What away day are you itching for?
Any grounds we haven’t previously visited - Gateshead must be top of this list.

And what game would you like to win more than any other any why!
First game of the season against Kidderminster would be nice. They took our APL (National League) place back in 1983 after we had won the Southern League. Then our manager and most of our players went there too as we tumbled into oblivion thanks to our ground being sold from under our feet. When you look at what happened to them subsequently you can’t help but think ‘what if?’ It was good to win at their place and stop them getting in the play-offs last season, even if most of their fans have no idea why we don’t really like them much.

Which opposing player would you love to see in the black and yellow of Leamington?
There was a lad called Devarn Green at Southport who tore us to shreds there last season. We were 1-0 up at half-time and lost 5-1 - most of the goals coming from his supply on the right.

Where is a decent finishing place for you this season?
I don’t know. It’s hard to predict for my own team but I do know it won’t be in the bottom two like most people think.

Vanarama, the leading van leasing brand in the UK, have recently launched the National League Club Reward Scheme to help fans back their club’s budget. Every time a fan takes out a brand new van lease with Vanarama or a brand new car lease with Motorama their club will earn £100 and you will receive £30 cashback.

For the latest van leasing deals, head to Vanarama.
For the latest car leasing deals, head to Motorama.